Operetta's Victor Herbert was also one of the world's leading cello virtuosos. The composer of two concertos for the instrument, he inspired Dvorák to write his own cello concerto. In the booklet of this1996 release (newly remastered), Ma credits the experience of playing with Czech musicians Josef Suk and Rudolf Firkušný for helping him interpret the Dvorák masterpiece.

"This performance is extraordinarily beautiful, supple, expressive, inward, personal and idiomatic and no one would recognize the New York Philharmonic of a few years ago in this Middle European-sounding orchestra."—Boston Globe

"Ma and Masur together encompass the work's astonishingly full expressive range, making it the more bitingly dramatic with high dynamic contrasts. The Victor Herbert Concerto also receives a high-powered performance, but one which does not overload the romantic element with sentiment, whether in the brilliant and vigorous outer movements or in the warmly lyrical slow movement, with its themes like love-songs from Herbert's operettas translated. Ma's use of rubato is perfectly judged, with that slow movement made the more tender at a flowing speed. The finale is then given a quicksilver performance, both brilliant and urgent. This magnificent performance could not be more welcome."—Gramophone